haiyan

I remember my dad teaching me this technique back when I was a kid learning how to play bowling. “Follow through” is the act of guiding your actions to completion. In bowling, it is the gesture or movement of your arm and hand moving towards the target long after the ball has left you, seemingly leading the object to its intended target.

Remember when Michael Jordan made that last game-winning shot against the Utah Jazz? How his hand was still up in the air as the ball was flying to meet the basket? Follow through.

As I grew up, I learned that the act of following through is a very important part in all aspects of life as well as the successes of our endeavors.

Even now, I am reminded of this once again with all the relief efforts that have been poured into the Visayas region due to the devastation brought about by Super typhoon Yolanda back in November 8. Though this tragic event brought out the Filipino bayanihan spirit in in all of us, we shouldn’t forget that helping doesn’t only come in the form of relief. Providing relief assistance to millions of people who were left homeless, jobless and hungry is merely the first of many phases and most certainly does not determine the success of all our concerted efforts.

Remember Patti Austin‘s recent concert here in the Philippines just a couple of months ago? I most certainly do! I actually had the rare opportunity to get up close and personal with her during her practice session (you can read all about it and watch the video by clicking here).

Pinoys love songs that really touch the heart and I guess that’s one of the many reasons why we all love Patti as well.

If you’re one of the countless Patti Austin fans here in the Philippines, you should get excited because she is coming back THIS MONTH to do not one, but TWO benefit concerts to help victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

There are cunning thieves and there are stupid ones. Either way, you should still be careful of both kinds.

I chanced upon a story from a friend (Vince Golangco of When In Manila) which, according to him, happened just a couple of days ago. I’d like to share it with all of you in hopes that maybe we could still find this opportunistic ass who victimized a kind-hearted Yolanda volunteer at Villamor Airbase.

You see, Vince’s friend was hard at work volunteering at the airbase welcoming Super Typhoon Yolanda victims, providing relief. We all know how frantic and busy it is over there at Villamor because of the ongoing relief efforts while these volunteers are doing an amazing job comforting our fellow Pinoys.

It’s just so sad and disappointing that amidst all the love and kindness being provided by these volunteers, there are still some people who would choose to take advantage of the vulnerability of these kinds of situations.

Apparently, one guy went to Villamor Airbase not to GIVE of himself… but to TAKE personal items that aren’t his instead!

There is an article I stumbled upon at Kicker Daily News which featured Anderson Cooper’s recent CNN video about Typhoon Yolanda and the Filipino people who are, in every sense, “weathering the storm”, and the resilience of our spirit.

In the video, he says “Maraming salamat for showing us all how to live.”

To those very critical about restaurants offering their profit to charity for victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), saying that they should just donate all the food to relief and that NO ONE should be dining out right now at a time like this… your self-righteousness is quite unfair to the owners of these establishments.

Granted, the ideal thing to do is for people to donate money instead of eating out… but some will STILL dine out.

If and when they do, at least they have the option to dine in an establishment that has committed to offer all or a fraction of their profit to charity.

Do not judge establishments and their owners because of this. Business will go on. It’s how they make a “living”.

HOW CAN ONE GIVE OUT IF THERE IS NOTHING COMING IN?

It’s the same as you donating money or food begotten from the income you get out of your salary or business.

Besides, before teaching someone a thing or two about “better” charity, you haven’t even the slightest idea if these owners have ALREADY donated from their own pockets and not just out of profit.

Please see the long list of places, establishments and centers that are donating and/or facilitating donations and relief for victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda. (This list is regularly updated). I encourage you to pls share this page or link to it.

Also, I am sharing with everyone these VITAL HASHTAGS which we should all use to hasten relief and rescue operations for Yolanda victims and also for disseminating information to the public.

Likewise, here are a few more relief centers accepting donations of cash and in kind for all those affected by this devastating typhoon.

Links

Charles “Chuckie” Dreyfus

Hi! I'm Chuckie... I'm an actor, songwriter, host, brand ambassador and a Survivor Castaway.
But I'm also a lifestyle blogger, tech/gadget geek and an uncomplicated foodie.
This lifestyle blog is all about the things I LOVE and covers just about everything that interests me. Thanks for dropping by and enjoy your stay. Cheers!